Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Rack recommendations

The wife and I are new to biking, we bought two Trek 7.2 FX bikes and signed up for some rides this summer. I am shopping for a couple of racks for us, I would like your comments on the two below, and tell me if you recommend something different. Price does not matter, quality and durablity matter more then price.

For me:

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_216833_-1

For her (she wants a rack):

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_157151_-1

Thanks, its been my pleasure reading these boards and learning from those who have been biking for years.

Personally I am not a fan of seat post racks. I use a rack that is similar to the one your wife wants and would recommend one like that due to the increased flexibility.

Think of a bike rack like buying a new pair of shoes. You need to decided what you need these racks to do. You wouldn't go hiking with Stilettos right? Anyways, what are looking to haul with these racks? Groceries, run errands, panniers, or have the ability to bungee something to it? If you're buying a rack to haul around your flat repair kits on your bike rides this summer, I'd suggest you buy a wedge pack that rides under your seat. It's just big enough for your multi tool, tire levers, spare tube, energy bar, and wallet.

I've had three bike racks. By far the best is the Saris Bones. Six connection points, down tube strap, won't scratch, easy to set up.

A little pricier but you won't regret it

I'd go with a full rack over a seat post. Personally, I see little difference in racks in the standard price range. I picked a Topeak rack because of the quick-track system. When my current rack trunk fails, I can switch over to their quick-track bag.

OP: I think you would be happy with that Nashbar seat post rack.

I personally like the Topeak bike rack "system".
The bags, baskets and racks all fit together.
The racks have a slider that will "marry" with the baskets or bags (of all sizes and types).
They go on the rack quickly easily and stay put. Conversely they are easy to remove.

We have the racks on several bikes - we can interchange the bags at will due to they all fitting to each other with ease.

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1266505859&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-RX-Trunk-Bag-EX/dp/B000FIAU2U/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_BST_t_4

If you decide to look further into the bags - realize that they come in many sizes - read the descriptions well.
You can find these in LBS's in most areas. Online prices are always cheaper.

I'm partial to full racks as well. I've got a Blackburn similar to (if not the same as) the one you have selected for your wife. Nothing fancy about it, but it's carried all my junk for the past year and a half with no issues, so no complaints. If you like Topeak bags though, getting the Topeak rack would probably be worth it. I use Arkel bags, so the rack brand mattered less to me.

I use both types of racks on my bikes.

I use the seatpost rack for bikes that don't have mounting eyelets by the rear forks.
I prefer to use the standard rack if my bike has eyelets.
The standard rack will carry a heavier load, is more stable and you can use panniers with them for touring.

Also it is not recommended to use the seatpost rack if you seat post is carbon fiber.

but the decision depends on what you will be doing with the rack.

Both racks should work fine.

+1 for Topeak racks. I like the look of a bike rack, so I had no qualms getting a standard (i.e., not a seatpost) rack. I got the Topeak Explorer over the holidays and have a compatible rack trunk w/ fold-out panniers. The quick track system is super convenient! I find my rack and trunk to be great for commuting and they'll also be good for some of those longer fair-weather weekend rides, too, with extra water and fuel (i.e., food) on board.

+1 for Topeak racks. I like the look of a bike rack, so I had no qualms getting a standard (i.e., not a seatpost) rack. I got the Topeak Explorer over the holidays and have a compatible rack trunk w/ fold-out panniers. The quick track system is super convenient! I find my rack and trunk to be great for commuting and they'll also be good for some of those longer fair-weather weekend rides, too, with extra water and fuel (i.e., food) on board.

+1

I used racks that cost quite a bit (Blackburn) and ones that cost very little (Performance bike brand). Other than the label, they seem to look and work about the same. Never used a seatpost one though... looks like it would just have a bit less carrying capacity.

I dunno but I would have titled the thread as "Bike Rack-Ommendations":roflmao2:

I've had three bike racks. By far the best is the Saris Bones. Six connection points, down tube strap, won't scratch, easy to set up.

A little pricier but you won't regret it

+1 for the Saris Bones.

I am in a similar situation as the OP. I want to get a rack for my new bike. I would advise any one buying a standard rack to make sure they will fit on the bike you want to put them on. This is more of a problem with mountain bikes as they have more frame variations. I have several racks around that I don't like the way the fit on mountain bikes. mostly due to the way they scratch the mounting area.
the new rack I get will probably be the Jango rack as my bike is a Jango. I am considering the topeak supertourist disk rack though cause I like having the ability to not worry if I am hauling too much weight with grocieries. The seperate rails for panniers seems like a good idea. I will probable get the jango rack though as it is rated for about 40 pounds. I really am not trying to hijack this thread just thought I would give the original poster a little food for thought. Most post racks are only rated for 20 pounds, and If you get a gallon of milk you can't put many more groceries on it. For what its worth post racks are getting more complicated with different bends to go better with different size riders.
If your are not hauling much there are some pretty good sized seat bags. Nashbar probably has several.

I bought my rack from the Trek Dealer where I bought my bike. Fits the bike and the bags/panniers Trek sells and I don't think it cost me anymore than the $40 you're going to pay Nashbar (and the dealer installed it for me)

The stays on this type of rack prevent panniers swinging into the spokes when you make a sudden swerve.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Product_10053_10052_217197_-1___

Otherwise the one in your link is fine if you are just carrying a trunk bag on top of the rack.

Most post racks are only rated for 20 pounds, and If you get a gallon of milk you can't put many more groceries on it.

A gallon of milk only weighs 7.5 lbs. Sounds like the rack can hold 12 more lbs of groceries.

A gallon of milk only weighs 7.5 lbs. Sounds like the rack can hold 12 more lbs of groceries.

I weighed milk at the store it is about 9. I'd hate being constrained by the twenty pound limit. Especially when it drops to about 11 often. A bag of groceries for me often weighs more than twenty pounds. It is better to underload a rack than over load it. I am considering the Topeak super tourist disk rack mainly because it will hold sixty pounds. the jango rack at 40 pounds is probably acceptable. I am sure I don't want to get 2 racks, one each for light and heavy loads. I think the forty pound limit is probably acceptable, but it might be nice to almost never have to worry about going over a 60 pound limit.

A twenty pound limit might be enough for most people that don't have or use panniers.

The topeak-jango racks as mentioned by others do have the slideing trunk and basket which I think I want. Can't say for sure that I will like it. If you buy at a local bike shop they should make sure you get it fit right. The post racks seem like they are so simple but I have never used one.

The wife and I are new to biking, we bought two Trek 7.2 FX bikes and signed up for some rides this summer. I am shopping for a couple of racks for us, I would like your comments on the two below, and tell me if you recommend something different. Price does not matter, quality and durablity matter more then price.

Check your PMs. I have 2 racks in my shop taking up space.

I used racks that cost quite a bit (Blackburn) and ones that cost very little (Performance bike brand). Other than the label, they seem to look and work about the same. Never used a seatpost one though... looks like it would just have a bit less carrying capacity.

I have a performance rack on the back of my commuter now. It has had a broken strut for about a year. The weld broke. I have it secured with a zip tie, but it is not quite as rigid as I would like.

I use it every day and often I carry a lot of weight, but still, a broken weld is not forgivable.

I personally like the Topeak bike rack "system".
The bags, baskets and racks all fit together.
The racks have a slider that will "marry" with the baskets or bags (of all sizes and types).
They go on the rack quickly easily and stay put. Conversely they are easy to remove.

We have the racks on several bikes - we can interchange the bags at will due to they all fitting to each other with ease.

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1266505859&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-RX-Trunk-Bag-EX/dp/B000FIAU2U/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_BST_t_4

If you decide to look further into the bags - realize that they come in many sizes - read the descriptions well.
You can find these in LBS's in most areas. Online prices are always cheaper.

+1 on the Topeak Quick Track system. I have a Topeak Explorer Rack mounted on my hybrid along with the EXP Trunk Bag with fold out panniers. The panniers are more than roomy enough to hold a change of clothes and a bag of groceries, and the convenience of being able to slide the trunk bag on and off the rack is pretty sweet. I've had mine since 2007 and have used it pretty much full time. Its not waterproof so keep that in mind and the panniers could be a bit wider, but overall its pretty durable. My new puppy chewed up the zipper on one of the panniers, but a trip to the village cobbler and $20, and its good as new!!

The rack is a little difficult to install, but with time and patience, you can finish the installation. I would also agree with the poster that suggested against having two racks with different load ratings. When you get on your bike, you just want to ride - not calculate how much weight you think the bike is going to have to carry - that's just plain nuts!!:eek: